- England lose IRB World Sevens Series semi final to Samoa in Dubai
- Island side proved too strong despite Chris Cracknell’s brace of tries
England Sevens left the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens empty handed after losing 28-19 to Samoa in their semi final.
Ben Ryan's men had a great first day topping their group with newcomers Nick Royle (Flyde), Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors) and Bristol's Mat Turner showing their power and pace on the international stage. This morning Ben Gollings' extra time sudden death try kept England's cup dream alive.
But Samoa dominated from the start, scoring three converted tries in the first four minutes and although England's Royle answered back before the break, Ryan's side had work to do with the score at 7-21.
An early second half converted try from Chris Cracknell brought England back into the running 14-21 but in the sixth minute Samoa struck again to crush England's hopes.
Another Cracknell try followed but victory was out of reach as the buzzer went for time, 19-28.
Ryan said: "Of course I'm disappointed, I would love for us to be running out again for the final but we made mistakes and Samoa made us pay. We've uncovered some real talent this weekend with the likes of Jake Abbott, Nick Royle and Mat Turner.
"Samoa beat us in the World Cup earlier this year but we beat them in London. We will be fresh going into South Africa and the guys that I've rested this weekend will get their chance to shine."
England: Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby), Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Nick Royle (Fylde), Kevin Barrett (capt, Saracens), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Chris Cracknell (Unattached)
Replacements: Dan Caprice (Blackheath).
Scorers: Tries: Royle, Cracknell (2); Cons: Gollings (2)
England Sevens Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens fixtures and results:
December 4, England 40-12 USA
December 4, England 28-0 Russia
December 4, England 27-10 Kenya
December 5, England 17-12 Argentina, cup quarter final
December 5, England 19-28 Samoa, cup semi final